Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 review: The best daily running trainer from Nike

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 review TL;DR: Amazing daily trainers with a slightly narrow toe box.

Nike is busy as always, churning out record-breaking running shoes such as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% or its successor, the even more controversial Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%. And while these groundbreaking shoes are certainly great, they are not much of a use for recreational runners.

These runners need comfortable trainers that will last more than just 50-100 miles and support their feet when they head out for their daily runs. The Nike React Infinity Run is such a shoe, but the support provided by those shoes might be a bit too much for some.

For those who don't need the extra support but don't have the money or the energy to break PBs every other week, the Pegasus 37 will be the perfect choice.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 review: Tech

Despite what the name and the look of the shoes suggest, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 doesn't use the ZoomX foam. Nike very wisely decided to go with the sturdier React foam, the same used in the aforementioned Nike React Infinity Run shoes.

The React technology not only provides a better value for money than the ZoomX – it will retain its running dynamics longer – but the cushioning is more supportive here, too. The 'Air Zoom' bit in the name refers to the Zoom Air pockets, placed under the forefoot for added energy returns. 

The translucent mesh upper might look familiar to runners who tried the Vaporfly before but in the case of the Pegasus 37, the upper feels more supportive all the while retaining breathability. 

The rubber outsole provides great traction even on wet surfaces which helps reserve energy more. The material also helps extend the lifespan of the shoes as it prevents the React midsole to get damaged when you land as the rubberised area is rather thick. Thankfully, the overall weight of the shoes remains light, despite all the extra support included.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 review: Ergonomics

It breaks my heart when I see pronating runners trying to use the thin Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% platform on races: their stride breaks at every step, struggling to keep the foot balanced. Although the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 uses a similar-looking sole structure as the Vaporfly, the Peg 37 is much more forgiving than its racing sibling, thanks to the more stable React foam.

The Pegasus 37 was comfortable to wear and to run in. The toe box is a bit narrow but not uncomfortably, and there is ample support on the medial and lateral sides of the shoes, just under the eyelets. As much as I love the softer laces on my trusty Brooks Hyperion Tempo, I must admit, the more traditional laces of the Pegasus 37 also work well.

The heel area makes the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 stand out from the competition. I found the collar of the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail a bit too low, but that's not the case with the Pegasus 37. There is a lot of support on offer here, and the padding is just sublime.

I liked the React foam before, but I only really warmed to it wearing the Pegasus 37. It is soft and bouncy, and cushioned, all at the same time. Don't get me wrong, I ran terrific times in the Vaporfly (compared to my usual pace) but still, running in the Pegasus 37, I felt less pressured to push myself to the limits and more inclined to just enjoy the ride.

This doesn't mean the Peg 37 is not a fast running shoe: the Zoom Air pockets under the forefoot will provide plenty of energy return. The Zoom Air unit actually shrank since the last iteration of the shoes, where it was full-sized, and in my opinion, it helped a great deal in improving stability.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 review: Aesthetics

Undeniably, Nike manufactures good looking shoes. At the moment, I dare say Nike running shoes look better than the best Adidas running shoes, although the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro looks pretty snazzy for a racing shoe. Many people will probably appreciate that Nike moved away from using the bright colours of the Vaporfly and opted in for less harsh colours here.

Not like the bright white primary colour is subtle, but at least it's not fluorescent yellow or vibrant pink. That said, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 is not pure white; the side of the foam is shaded with gradient colours, blue-to-green on the medial side and purple-to-red on the lateral side. Fun fact: the gradient-coloured areas highlight the placement of the Zoom Air pockets at the forefoot.

And, of course, there is a huge swoosh on the lateral side of the upper and a smaller one (albeit still relatively large) around the heel on the medial side. No one expected subtle branding from Nike.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 review: Verdict

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 is a great running trainer. The React foam and the Zoom Air units work well together, making runs both enjoyable and effective. Better still, the Pegasus 37 is not an absolute eyesore either, so it could be worn for other things than just running.

The best thing about the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 is that it doesn't force you to compromise on performance and comfort. It's a versatile running trainer that offers good energy returns and support. What more can you ask for?

Recommended for: train, jogging and mid-to long-distance runs.

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Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 review: Also consider

If you need running shoes that are even more cushioned than the Pegasus 37, try the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit. Thanks to the combination of the ‘evolved’ Flyknit upper, ZoomX foam, padded collar and puffy tongue, comfort is elevated to the next level. Well done, Nike.

For a similar running experience, try the Saucony Kinvara 12 on for size: this is one of the fastest running trainers on the market today. Not to mention, it's responsive, snappy and offers sublime ground contact without sacrificing comfort or cushioning.